Suspicious Item/Bomb Threat

If you find a suspicious item, do not touch the item - Report the location to the University Police immediately.

• Stay clear of the area
• Dial 9-1-1 from a campus desk phone
• Dial 415-338-2222 from a cell phone
• Locate the nearest Blue Light Emergency Phone on campus and push the “CALL” button

UPD will coordinate response activities with the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD). 

If you receive a bomb or explosive threat

If it is safe to do so, remain calm and try to gather as much information as possible.

Ask the caller about the threat

Try to obtain answers to the following questions:

• When is the bomb going to explode?
• Where is the bomb located?
• What kind of bomb is it?
• What does the bomb look like?
• Why was the bomb placed?

Keep the caller on the line

• Attempt to keep the caller on the phone as long as possible.
• Do not interrupt or challenge the caller.

Observe and record information about the caller

While listening, try to note the following details:

• Date and time of the call
• Exact words or phrases used by the caller
• Approximate age and voice characteristics
• Speech patterns or noticeable accent
• Emotional state (calm, angry, nervous, etc.)
• Background noises (traffic, voices, music, machinery, alarms)

After the call

• Report the threat immediately to UPD or 9-1-1.
  • Dial 9-1-1 from a campus desk phone
  • Dial 415-338-2222 from a cell phone
  • Locate the nearest Blue Light Emergency Phone on campus and push the “CALL” button
• Follow all instructions provided by law enforcement.